The teenage defender has had a disappointing campaign, seriously blighted by illness and injury. He has not played since December 11.

While Dario Gradi admits his team have managed without the talented England U19 star, he is convinced he will play a pivotal part in 2005-2006.

And the Alex manager has earmarked a defensive mid-field role for the Shrewsbury lad who has been brought through the Alex ranks. He feels his no-nonsense tackling and accurate passing game would suit the role.

Gradi said: 'Next year will be a big season for him. We are looking to use him more as a midfield player then. At the moment I would put him ahead of Darren Moss for the right-back spot.

'But I wouldn't sell Billy for £170,000 (the price Crewe paid for Moss), so he ought to be. But Darren is in my mind for the right-back spot long term. I have wanted to play Billy in mid-field before, but he wasn't so keen.

'I think he is more keen now we are talking about the first team. We will have the pre-season to work on that, but I am sure he can do it.'

The 18-year-old has looked a real prospect after breaking into Gradi's team in October 2003, when he came on as a substitute and played midfield against Derby County.

He later reverted to a regular full-back spot, and in a season which has so far seen a total of 13 defenders used to try to stop the steady stream of goals against, his lengthy absence has been a blow.

But Gradi said he would not have made a huge difference at his age. He explained: 'We miss any good player, and he is a good player. But he is not a Dean Ashton or a Steve Foster. We wouldn't want to be dependant on players of his age and we are not.'